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Lifestyle Lens Options

Surgery to treat cataracts is an outpatient procedure where an eye surgeon removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial lens (IOL). Cataract surgery is constantly improving with new lifestyle lens options. These options can do more than just cure cataracts, they can dramatically improve vision making you less dependent on glasses or contacts. Certain lens options are not right for everyone so Dr. Ernest will help guide you to find the best option that fits your individual needs. Here are some things you need to consider when choosing a lens option:

Do you have astigmatism?

What activities are most important to your lifestyle? (knitting, working on the computer, driving, playing golf)

How important is night vision to your lifestyle?

If you were to rate your personality, would you be: easy going, a perfectionist or in the middle?

Would you like the chance to be out of your glasses/contacts for 90% of the day after surgery?

Depth-of-Focus Lenses

A new category of intraocular lenses called "Depth-of-Focus" or "Extended Range of Focus" is helping patients see at varying distances, providing an extended range of vision unlike conventional monofocal or "single vision" lenses. For today's active cataract patients these advanced lenses provide functional, high quality vision from far distance to near to minimize the use of glasses. Although they might still prefer to wear glasses for prolonged reading, the vast majority of patients experience freedom from glasses for tasks such as driving, watching TV, using their cell phone and computer, and menus.
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AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL

This lens is a great option if you have astigmatism, it's revolutionary technology makes it possible for Dr. Ernest to perform a single outpatient procedure in which the clouded cataract lens is exchanged for an IOL designed to correct astigmatism as well. The AcrySof® Toric IOL lens can help you to enjoy quality distance vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The AcrySof® Toric lens is a foldable, single-piece lens that Dr. Ernest implants during cataract surgery to replace the clouded lens. The unique design of the AcrySof® Toric IOL makes it possible to reduce or eliminate corneal astigmatism and significantly improve uncorrected distance vision. You may be able to break free from eyeglasses or contact lenses for distance vision in just one step, without the need for additional surgical procedures. Dr. Paul Ernest encouraged the development of this lens. In the FDA clinical trials, 97% of the patients bilaterally implanted with the AcrySof® Toric IOL were spectacle free for distance vision.
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AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL

The ReSTOR® Lens is used to correct Presbyopia in normally sighted people. Most IOLs can only correct vision at one distance, the advanced technology in this lens corrects vision near, far and in-between, for your best chance at freedom from glasses. It can also be used as a low vision device for patients with Macular Degeneration. ReSTOR® gives a much wider field of vision than telescopic devices currently used for Macular Degeneration. Dr. Ernest is one of the leaders in the use of the ReSTOR® Lens for the correction of Presbyopia.
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AcrySof® IQ Monofocal IOL

The monofocal lens is typically covered by insurance or Medicare, this lens can provide clear distance vision. You will likely still need glasses for reading and possibly distance vision with this lense.
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If you have questions about the newest and most modern technology available for your eyes, or if you would like to discuss your options for vision correction, please contact the office of Dr. Ernest today.